Forging scale and damascus billets?

[javand]

When I said flux sucks I did not mean it does not work, we all know it works. I mean it's messy and rather frustrating some times. I was not trying to bash the flux just listing the reasions I use as little of it as possible. My forge floor is so thick with flux and scale that I just about can't get a billet in it any more. Some of my best and easiest welds have been when I wrapped the stack with heat treat foil and folded over the ends. But I don't make tons of Damascus, just what I need for my projects.

JT, I really wasn't trying to call you out by at all, although I'm sure it seems like it. I was just trying to address a sentiment I've felt was sort of gaining momentum lately, socially more than individually, and give a dissenting view in hopes to clarify the pros, and con's of flux, as I see it, that's all.

You're definitely not wrong about the caveats of it. It can definitely be a bitch. One day I'll tell the story of when Zoe and I dropped a very large feather into the bottom of his vertical forge, that had 6" of flux pond in the bottom. Let's just say that the efforts to retrieve it before the forge cooled the the flux turned to glass were dramatic, gloves torching 4' in the air above the open lid of the forge and all. ;D

 

[Salem Straub]

I use flux pretty frequently, especially for multibar stuff. It works well. It is entirely correct, that welding atmospheric, wet, hydrocarbon, in a can, are all just tools to be kept in the box and brought out when appropriate to the task.
I like to weld the first stack dry just because the steel comes out pristine... indistinguishable from mono until finished blade is etched. With the first stack wet, I find a subtle difference in the appearance. That and it takes more flux compared to just a sprinkle for the edge on a second heat.
When making w's, this is important for sure... that's why I like a bit of borax for the edges, I don't like having to grind way down in there to clean steel after crushing, before re-stack.
I don't like how much folks these days seem to want to MIG every seam in sight. It's often not necessary, and what a lot of extra grinding and weld consumables etc. I tend to Ferry flip stuff with borax, multibars and jellyroll, too... I can see MIG'ing up tight for stuff like setting up a tall finished stack for feather.
Dogma of any sort is boring and usually wrong! Dunno why people love it so much...